Most permaculture systems that start with hard areas start with native grasses and things that grow large roots. The roots help break up whatever is there. Sw

Most permaculture systems that start with hard areas start with native grasses and things that grow large roots. The roots help break up whatever is there. Swales for water catching, not letting run off. Then usually after a few years you can start to plant things you like to eat. Drip irrigation is decent for bootstrapping. Most of these systems usually do not see real results for about 20 years in the real hard areas with little rain and rocky soil. If they pick an area that used to have that plant life it can be as few as 3-5 years. I may have went down a large rabbit hole a few weeks ago on YT :)